A MANCHESTER planning consultant is celebrating victory after a three-year campaign to win permission for the 20,000-seater City of Salford stadium.

Last week, government ministers gave the go-ahead for controversial plans for the stadium and the commercial development that will pay for it. The decision is the culmination of three years' work by Red City Developments.

Gary Halman, partner at HOW Planning and an adviser to Red City Developments, said: "This is a landmark decision and an extremely good one for Red City Developments as well as the City of Salford.

"The Barton site will be transformed into a high-quality sporting and community venue supported by significant new retail floorspace.

"It means that Salford will have its own sports stadium without financial contribution from the public purse."